Frequently Asked Questions
Reservations
Thinking about making a reservation?
- Click on “Contact Us“ to get started with your reservation.
- We require a 25% non-refundable deposit to make your reservation. The balance is due 90 days before the trip sails.
- We charge 25% extra for solo travelers in a private cabin. This can be waived if you are willing to share a cabin with another solo passenger.
- Read this article find out what happens when you say, “Sign me up, Sarah!“
Cancellations and Rescheduling
What if I need to make a change or cancel my reservation?
- We think trips on the David B are a once in a lifetime experience, but we do understand that things happen. We try to be flexible to passenger’s needs while still running a small business.
- We strongly suggest that you purchase trip/travel insurance to protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip.
- As soon as possible email Sarah to make any changes to your reservation.
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- You may transfer your reservation to another person. There is a $100 per person fee to do this.
- If your trip is more than 90 days away, your trip deposit is non-refundable, however we can reschedule your trip. There is a $100 per person fee to do this.
- If your trip is between 89-0 days away, all payments made are non-refundable. The reservation cannot be rescheduled, but can be transferred as noted above.
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Accessibility and Minimum Physical Requirements for Passengers
I have limited mobility. What do I need to be able to do to enjoy myself on one of your trips?
- The M/V David B is not ADA accessible.
- Passengers must have the ability to walk, climb stairs and ladders and be stable enough to move while underway at sea.
- Our queen beds are raised over 30 inches and you will need to be able to step up and climb into them.
- We require a minimum of being able to lift your leg over a 21 inch rail to board the boat, walk 1/4 mile on shore hikes, navigate a spiral staircase to reach your cabin and be able to climb down 2-3 step ladder to access our skiff for going ashore.
- Ask Sarah with any accessibility questions, mobility concerns or minimum physical capabilities to safely enjoy one of our cruises.
Passenger Policies
What are your passenger policies?
- Click on “Passenger Policies“ find out more information.
- Contact us by “emailing Sarah“ with any questions about our policies.
Trip Insurance
Should I purchase Trip/Travel Insurance?
- Yes, we strongly suggest that you purchase trip/travel insurance to protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip.
- Be sure to get “cancel for any reason” and “evacuation” trip insurance covereages.
- We recommend: InsureMyTrip.
- Passengers have also used travelguard.com if you would like to compare different options.
Cell Phones & Internet
Is there cell phone or internet coverage?
- We have a Starlink satellite system that allows passengers limited wifi coverage during the trip.
On Alaska trips there will be cellphone coverage for a couple hours, 2-3 times during the voyage.- On the Canadian Inside Passage trips, there is cellphone coverage at least every other day or more.
- On San Juan Island trips there is almost continuous cellphone coverage
Can I charge my cell phone onboard?
- Yes, there is an outlet in every cabin — see below.
What to Pack
What should I bring on my trip?
- Here is our list of What to Bring with suggestions for what to pack.
- Sarah always recommends rain pants, headphones and indoor/outdoor slippers.
- We have water proof boots on board so you can save room in your luggage.
Can I do laundry during the trip?
- Unfortunately the washer and dryer cannot be used while we are on a trip due to power requirements. They are only used by the crew in between trips while hooked up to shore power at the dock.
- We encourage passengers to focus on bringing layers that can be worn multiple times during your trip.
Amenities Onboard the David B
Do You have electricity?
- Yes, there is a regular (120V) household style receptacle outlet in each stateroom and in numerous other spots around the vessel.
Is electricity available at all times?
- Yes, it is always on, powered by a silent inverter and a battery bank.
Can I bring a hair dryer?
- Yes, a small hair dryer can be used while the generator is running.
Is the electricity onboard safe for my laptop/cell phone/camera charger?
- Yes, we run several computers on it and it is very stable.
Can I bring my CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Device?
- Yes, you can use it just like you would at home, and there is an outlet close to each bed to plug it into.
- Plus, we make reverse osmosis water (see below), so you do not have a bring a separate jug of distilled water.
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Is there enough fresh water for showers?
- Yes, we have big water tanks (415 gallons), and also a reverse osmosis watermaker, so there is always plenty of hot water for showers, baths, and all the regular uses.
- There are no restrictions on the number of showers you take during your trip nor on shower times.
How much space is there for storage of my luggage?
- Each stateroom has space under the bunk for large suitcases and lots of hooks for hanging items. We recommend soft-sided luggage over hard cases.
- Remember that it is very casual on the David B, so click here to see a recommended list of what to bring.
What is included in each cabin?
Each cabin has its own sink (with hot and cold water), its own toilet, at
least one standard outlet, an overhead light, reading lights, drinking glasses, sheets and bedding, two comforters, 4 pillows, bath and face towels and washcloths, a flashlight, a smoke detector, life jackets (PFD’s), and survival suits.
Are the cabins ADA accessible?
- You do need to go down a spiral staircase with a hand rail to get to the staterooms.
- Our bunks are raised over 30 inches and we provide a step stool in each cabin.
Safety Onboard
What passenger safety gear is onboard?
We are proud to say that we participate in the USCG Alaska 5-Star Safety program and have a 5-star rating. We have all the legally required equipment onboard, along with a lot of additional equipment:
- (10) SOLAS Adult Life Jackets (USCG Approved Type I PFD’s)
- (8) Standard Life Jackets (USCG Approved Type II PFD’s)
- (12) Type III Life Jackets (for kayaking only)
- (3) USCG Approved Type IV Throwable Life Rings
- (1) 10 Person USCG Approved Inflatable Life Raft rated Oceans — SOLAS A
- (1) 6 Person Inflatable Life Raft
- (8) Cold Water Immersion Suits (Survival Suits)
- Flares and Parachute Flares
- (6) Fire Extinguishers
- (6) Smoke Detectors
- (3) CO Detectors
- (1) Large First Aid Kit
- Several Small First Aid Kits
- 2-way Radios for shore party communications
- (2) Bear Spray Canisters
- (1) AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
What safety and navigation equipment is onboard?
- (1) 24 mile Radar
- (1) 16 mile Radar
- (2) GPS Receivers
- (1) AIS Transceiver
- (1) VHF Radio
- (3) VHF Handheld Radio
- (1) Satellite Telephone
- (3) Cell Phones
- (2) InReach Satellite Texting Devices
- Depth Sounder
- Ships Clock
- (3) Computer Based Chart Plotters
- Electronic Charts covering Mexico to the Bering Sea
- Paper Charts covering Puget Sound to Cook Inlet
The David B and its Crew
How big, (fast, tall) is the David B?
- The David B is 65 feet (20m) long, 16 feet (4.8m)wide. The draft is 7 feet (2.1m).
- Her actual weight (displacement) is about 65 tons (130,000 pounds – 59,000kg).
- Her Gross Register Tonnage is 102 and her Net is 81.
- Her mast is 42 feet (12.8m) above the water.
- She is powered by a 100hp (74kw), 325rpm 3-cylinder Washington-Estep Diesel engine.
- She carries up to 8 passengers in 4 staterooms.
- She requires a captain, a cook/engineer, and deckhand/night watch crew member.
What licensing does the crew have?
Captain Jeffrey has a license as Master (captain) of Inland motor, sail, and steam vessels not greater than 500 Gross Tons, and Near-Coastal motor, sail, and steam vessels not greater than 200 Gross tons. His license also allows him to serve as Mate on Inland Motor vessels up to 1600 Gross Tons and Ocean motor, sail and steam vessels up to 500 Tons, and on inland tug boats. He also holds a current Transportation Worker Identification Card issued by Homeland Security, and a Washington State Drivers license (any car-all highways and byways).
What training does the crew have?
- All crew have first-aid training and also participate in regular drills onboard.
- Jeffrey also has basic and advanced shipboard firefighting training.
Does Christine have any special training to be a chef and a naturalist?
- In addition to being trained by her Grandmother Isackson and Great-grandmother Brown, Christine holds a Pastry Certificate from Bellingham Technical College Culinary School.
Kayaking and Shore Activities
What kayaks can the passengers use?
- The David B carries 5 kayaks.
- (1) Northwest Kayaks Discover single
- (4) Pelican 2-person sit inside Kayaks
Will I get wet kayaking?
- You might get wet while paddling if you splash yourself.
Is it hard to get into your kayaks?
No, we have people board the boats from a seated position in our skiff, and we hold the kayak stable while you get in and out, so no one gets wet.
Do you have all the kayak gear I will need to paddle?
- Yes, we have paddling PFD’s and paddles for everyone onboard.
Will I need special clothing for paddling a kayak?
- No, not necessarily. We tend to kayak in long-sleeved tech-fabric shirts and rain pants or shorts.
- Special
shoes are not necessary. You can wear the provided waterproof boots. - A thin raincoat might be necessary and sometimes a fleece pullover depending upon the weather.
Do I need anything special for shore excursions?
- Not really, we have lots of rubber boots (cannery worker style) that are good for hikes on the beach and in mucky spots, and we have most sizes for everyone onboard.
- Regular clothes for hiking are acceptable as well.
- We also have hiking poles that people can use.
- You may want to bring your own waterbottle.
Fishing
Can I go fishing on the David B?
- Yes, if you bring your own gear. Please note that you will need to obtain a fishing license specific to the waters we
will be in during the cruise.
Is there Sport Fishing on the David B?
- We are not sport fishing guides. However, if you would like to go sports fishing before or after your trip, we can make recommendations for outfitters in Petersburg or Juneau.
Food Onboard
Are you able to accommodate special diets?
- Yes, we have cooked for vegetarians, glucose, and lactose intolerant guests, and for specific food allergies.
- However, if you have a nut/seed/shellfish allergy or have celiac disease you should contact us first.
- Regardless of your special food requests, we do need to know in advance, so make sure you tell us when you book your trip.
Can you do requests for a special occasions?
- Yes, we have made lots of special meals/desserts for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events.
- Please let us know in advance so that we can accommodate you.
Tipping
How does tipping work?
- Tipping is optional and depending on your experience we suggest a 15% tip that can be split amongst the crew.
- If you did not bring cash or a check with you, we can always invoice you after your trip. Just ask Sarah.
Preferred Flights
Do you have preferred flights to get to the boat?
- We strongly recommend that you plan to fly in the night before your trip to avoid any travel delays.
- Check to make sure that you have enough time in between flights if you have to change planes.
- If you plan to fly out the same day we return, give yourself at least two hours after our cruise is scheduled to arrive back in port.
- In general once you fly to Seattle, then Alaska Airlines flies to all of our ports of call.
COVID Policies
What are your current COVID Policies?
- We are not enforcing any COVID policies at this time, but this may be subject to change.
- At this time we do not require passengers to be vaccinated or provide proof of vaccination.
- We recommend that you wear a mask while traveling to the boat to limit your exposure.
- Masks are available to guests if desired.
- Visit our COVID Policies Page here.